Women’s Month may have come to an end, but local organisations are working to ensure that the focus remains on the challenges women face, among them gender-based violence.
To this end, the Langa Township South African Police Service Spiritual Crime Prevention division, and Malihambe Women Outreach hosted a summit on Thursday August 25.
Malihambe is a non-governmental organisation that advocates for voiceless women in Langa and surrounds and runs empowerment programmes.
At the crime prevention summit for vulnerable women in Langa, the organisations said action was urgently needed as domestic violence was on the increase.
Summit organiser Nosipho Daniels said she had arranged it in response to the thousands of women crying out for help. “The day was also about inviting more pastors to join the fight to help people who are in need of spiritual support. We call on them to go to their nearest police station where they can help. We have partnered with Mosaic for further assistance at the court level. We link the victims with lawyers too and court dates,” she said.
Mosaic is an organisation based in Wynberg which works to empower women and girls who have survived domestic violence and abuse.
The summit heard harrowing stories of gender-based violence and femicide from victims, while also offering opportunities for human rights activists, psychologists and mental health experts, among others, to share their knowledge and experience.
Ms Daniels, who also chaired the summit, encouraged more women to form clubs to support each other. “We are facing too many challenges as women. That support is highly needed in our areas. God is looking for those of women who help others. They need to open their hearts in prayer to god,” she said.
Langa Police spokesperson Captain Nondumiso Paul said the day was also about sensitising the community to speak up about crimes against women.
She said people need to come forward so that perpetrators can be brought to book. “We also prayed for victims and handed out pamphlets to empower women. The truth is women are being killed by ruthless and heartless men. We hope this will give light to many, including men,” she said.
